7 Tips To Reduce Your Florida Cooling Costs
Did you know that U.S. homeowners spend $11 billion per year to air condition their homes? That’s about six percent of all energy used. Not to mention, that six percent is concentrated during the hottest months of the year, accounting for half of your electric bill in the summer months. That’s why, today, we’d like to help you learn of some easy way to reduce your Florida cooling costs without having to deal with the heat.
#1: Have a HVAC Checkup
This is an important tip that can save you a lot of money on Florida cooling costs. For instance, cleaning a clogged filter can save you up to 15% in energy use. If your AC unit is old, you might want to consider getting a new one. Newer models are far more efficient, allowing you to save on your electric bill and increase the value of your home. Most people break even on the cost of a new unit within the first ten years.
#2: Get a Programmable Thermostat
Adjusting the thermostat can make a big difference in how hard your AC has to work to keep you cool. Studies have shown that for every degree a thermostat is set above 75 can save up to 15% in energy costs. Even if you don’t want to set your thermostat this high while at home, programming your thermostat to a higher temperature while you are away can save you a bundle on Florida cooling costs.
#3: Use Ceiling Fans
When using a ceiling fan to distribute the cool air created by your AC unit, you can decrease the need for more cool air. When used correctly, ceiling fans can save up to 40% on your bill. That’s because a ceiling fan uses only 1/60th of the energy used by your AC unit. Be sure to have the fan turned so that the air is pushing down toward you.
#4: Don’t Cool Unused Rooms
There is no need to waste air conditioning on rooms that you are not using. If you have spare rooms that are not used on a regular basis, shut the door and turn off the vents to those areas. It makes sense that a smaller home will cost less to cool. So, if you can make your home smaller by closing off unused areas, you will save money on Florida cooling costs.
#5: Create Some Shade
One of the best ways to keep your home cool is to create some shade. You can do this one of two ways. The first is to plant shrubs and trees on the south and west sides of your home to help block the sun from getting into the house. The second is to install blinds or light colored curtains to keep the sunlight out. Either will keep your home from heating up like a greenhouse.
#6: Fire Up The Grill
Using your stove and oven create heat that makes your AC unit have to work extra hard. When possible, cook your meals on the grill, use the microwave or instapot, or eat cold meals like salads to keep from overworking your AC.
#7: Retrofit Your Home
The next time you add a new roof to your home, consider using a light color. Light colors can reduce the temperature of your roof from 150 to 100 degrees. You can also consider adding more and/or better insulation as well as solar screens on your windows. Both trap hot air from coming inside, and insulation does double duty by keeping the cool air from escaping.
By following these seven tips, you can easily reduce your Florida cooling costs. If you’d like more ideas on how to save money as a homeowner, give us a call. We’d love to help you save money and enjoy living in your dream home.